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Audible noise levels of transmission overhead lines standard configurations

EHV (Extra High Voltage) operated in the Czech Republic

J. ŠVEC, J. TLUSTÝ, J. LAGO, P. BOJDA

Czech Technical University in Prague
Czech Republic

SUMMARY

The requirements for overhead lines (OHL) environmental influences are up-to-date mainly
due to current settlement in former peripheral city areas where single overhead lines corridors
went through in the past. However these areas are absorbed by civil buildings, shopping
centres, residential areas etc nowadays. Their environment is deteriorated by low frequency
electrical and magnetic field from overhead lines but also by the lines audible noise. Its levels
must be controlled by calculations already in the project stage but mainly after new power
constructions establishment.
The deciding influence on the audible noise level in the EHV overhead lines surrounding is
given primarily by surface electrical gradient level of active construction parts (especially
conductor wires, clamps and armatures) in coordination with secondary factors as weather
conditions and powerlines active parts pollution.
The paper shows calculated and analysed audible noise levels generated by overhead lines of
different configurations utilized in the Czech Republic. The surface electrical gradient
influencing the line audible noise of conductor wires can be controlled by operational voltage
and construction parameters, i.e. conductor wires diameter, their surface roughness, conductor
wires number in the bundle, symmetrical and non-symmetrical bundle configuration, phase-
to-phase distances in the 3-phase system, phase rotating on the tower, phase conductors height
above the ground, mutual distance of parallel 3-phase systems on a double powerline common
tower, or separate parallel powerlines distance. The analyses result in important knowledge
for configuration design, operation and also for the overhead line trace choice.

KEYWORDS

Audible noise – Overhead line – Tower – Conductor – Surface electrical gradient

svecj3@fel.cvut.cz
 1. INTRODUCTION

The audible noise is one of the most wide-spread pollutant in the working and living
environment. There are many noise sources inside buildings but the most serious noise comes
from the outside environment, namely from industrial objects, transport, music productions
etc. The abnormal noise treatment on a human being results in reactions of the central nervous
system and the cardiovascular system – heart rate increasing, blood pressure increasing,
tiredness development. Treating long-time, noise can cause cardiovascular and other diseases.
Noise worsens the learning process, memory using, mutual communication or emotional
balance.
Environmental noise, caused by traffic, industrial and recreational activities is one of the main
local environmental problems in Europe and the source of an increasing number of
complaints from the public. Generally however action to reduce environmental noise has had
a lower priority than that taken to address other environmental problems such as air and water
pollution.
It has been estimated that around 20 percent of the EU population or close on 80 million
people suffer from noise levels that scientists and health experts consider to be unacceptable,
where most people become annoyed, where sleep is disturbed and where adverse health
effects are to be feared. An additional 170 million citizens are living in so-called 'grey areas'
where the noise levels are such to cause serious annoyance during the daytime.
For more than twenty years EU environmental noise policy has essentially consisted of
legislation fixing maximum sound levels for vehicles, aeroplanes and other single machines,
linked to certification procedures to ensure that new vehicles and equipment are, at the time of
manufacture complying with the noise limits laid down in directives. Thanks to this
legislation and technological progress significant reductions of noise from individual sources
have been achieved (approximately by 80 to 90% since 1970). However data do not show
significant improvements in exposure to environmental noise especially road traffic noise.
The growth and spread of traffic in space and time and the development of leisure activities
and tourism have partly offset the technological improvements.

2. NOISE AND LEGISLATION

Most EU Member States have adopted legislation or recommendations setting immission

limits for noise exposure in sensitive areas. These are often integrated into national abatement
laws and used in land use plans especially for new infrastructure developments. The World
Health Organization has suggested a standard guideline value for average outdoor noise levels
of 55 dB (A), applied during normal daytime in order to prevent significant interference with
the normal activities of local communities.
The noise task in the EU legislation is given by the directive 2002/49/ES whose content is
implemented into Member States legislations. This directive was integrated into the Czech
Republic law system by the law no. 258/2000 Sb. which defines basic rights and duties of the
noise source operators. A regulatory statue defines then hygienic noise and vibrations limits
for the day-time and night-time (10 p.m. – 6 a.m.), their measurement and evaluation. The
regulatory statue is the Government order no. 148/2006 Sb. which determines noise limits in
the particular spaces. The overhead line limits are those in outside areas for stacionary noise
sources.

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The audible noise levels are expressed by the equivalent sound pressure level (SPL) LAeq,T. It
is measured and calculated for 8 continuous and the most noisy hours in the day-time (LAeq,8h)
and for the most noisy hour during the night-time. The hygienic limit is determined by the
sum of the basic SPL LAeq,T = 50 dB and the correction given by the space type and the day-
or night-time. The night-time correction for protected outside building space equals to -10 dB.
The other correction for other sources (including OHL) equals to 0 dB.
The respective authority for evaluating environmental impacts from the viewpoint of
influences on the population is the Ministry of Health and local hygienic services. A possible
measure for the population protection is the direct noise regulation at its producers. This can
be based on sanctions, a noise source operation stopping or a time limited operation until an
improvement action.

3. OVERHEAD LINES AS NOISE SOURCES

The equivalent sound pressure level A is the quantity given by:

1 2  p t  
t 2

L Aeq  10 log   A  dt (dB) (1)

T t1  p 0 

where pA(t) (Pa)..... continuous acoustic pressure RMS value weighted by the frequency
correction curve A
T (s) ............ integration interval, T = t2 – t1
p0 (Pa) ......... reference acoustic pressure (average person limit of audibility),
p0 = 2.10-5 Pa

Similarly for the constant noise intensity I = P/S (W.m-2) ~ p2.

I
L I  10 log (dB) (2)
I0
where I0 = 10-12 W.m-2 is the limit of audibility

Knowing the individual noise sources levels we can obtain the total SPL:
n
L   10 log 10 Li / 10 (3)
i 1

This paper aims at the evaluation of OHL traces as partial noise sources in terms of EU and
CR legislation and permitted noise levels during the night-time N and day-time D are
checked. There are needed limits for outside spaces and steady sources determined by the
legislation:
Outside spaces LAD = LAN = 50 dB.
Protected outside building spaces LAD = 50 dB, LAN = 40 dB (evaluated in paper results).

The present state of legislation and technical standards in the field of HV OHL design
respects a range of requirement for OHL parts. There are mainly conductors, towers and
insulators mechanical demands for wind, frost, temperature or maintain loading. Others are
insulation coordination, withstand voltages, grounding systems or thermal-electrical criteria
given by minimal permitted distances between active and inactive parts. The environmental
impacts are limited for radio interference and system frequency electrical and magnetic field

2
under the OHL. This is all declared in the technical standard ČSN EN 50341. However this
standard doesn’t say anything about audible noise levels generated by the OHL even if other
legislation defines its limits for different outside sources.
The surface electrical field gradient Ep (V.m-1) at the OHL conductors is the decisive quantity
for calculating the generated noise. Ep (V.m-1) calculation is enabled by knowing the
conductors voltages and the tower configuration (capacity system). The column vectors of
conductors voltages U and charges (linear densities) Q are joined by matrix equations:
Q   k U  ; U   δ Q  (4)
where k ............... square capacity coefficients matrix (F.m-1)

δ
δ ............... square potential coefficients matrix (m.F-1), k    1
Based on the phase and ground wires geometrical configuration and the mirror method, the
(cylindrical) conductors charges are calculated which result in the surface gradients
Ep (kV.cm-1). In case of n-bundle, Ep (kV.cm-1) on a partial conductor is
1 Q
Ep  (V.m 1 ) (5)
n 2 0 r
where 0 = 8,854 . 10-12 (F.m-1) is the vacuum permitivity (approximately in the air),
Q (C.m-1) .... cylindrical conductor charge linear density,
r (m) ............ conductor radius

For the bundle step a (m), the maximal surface gradient Ep (V.m-1) is approximately
 (n  1)  r  1
E p max  E 1  1   (V.m ) (6)
 a 
The mention value Epmax (V.m-1) is decisive for calculating the noise generated by phase
conductors.
The audible noise in the paper is calculated by professional software using an experimental
model for overhead lines which emit sound and RF interference levels caused by corona
discharges because of the electric field strength. There is calculated the surface electrical
gradient on a conductor surface in a mesh and this exact surface field serve as input data for
the noise level calculation. There was used Sforzini calculation method based on experimental
examinations. The noise level is determined by the part-conductor method by the fact that the
noise potential is calculated by scalar addition of the spatial distributions of all single
segments. The method can treat arbitrary conductor configurations under consideration of the
sag. The procedure respects the orientation, the separation and the surface field gradient of
every single segment. The noise level results at every position below an overhead line can be
read also in the form of noise maps.

4. CALCULATIONS AND RESULTS

The following parts show the audible noise calculation results for typical transmission system
configuration in CR and for basic parameters changes. The surface electric gradient peak on
the OHL conductors depends on wires surface roughness coefficient, i.e. wire diameter and its
top layer conductors, also on surface gradient distribution inequality along the phase

3
conductor circumference. This inequality results from the proximity effect in the usual
configuration of symmetrical 2-, 3-, 4-bundle with the bundle step a = 0,4 m.

Calculated tower constructions

1x400kV HORIZONTAL 1x400kV DELTA 2x400 kV DANUBE

1x220kV HORIZONTAL 2x220 kV VERTICAL-KEG 2x220 kV DANUBE

Maximal audible noise levels L1,8m (dB) were evaluated in the height 1,8 m above the ground
in the HV overhead line trace axis and at the powerline protective zone border for three
characteristic weather kinds: fair weather, rainy weather and heavy rain.
The surface electrical gradient Ep (V.m-1) on phase conductors influencing the audible noise
level L (dB) depends on:
 3-phase OHL systems rated voltage,
 number of operated 3-phase system under voltage,
 phase conductors and ground wires geometrical configuration on the tower,
 phase sequence on the tower,
 conductor surface state (new-glazy, altered-black, wet-dewy),
 weather character (fair weather, rainy weather, heavy rain).

4
The surface electrical gradient Ep (V.m-1) on phase conductors can be already controlled in
OHL projects by technical measures, e.g. using smooth wires AERO-Z, choosing their
diameter, their number in a regular or irregular bundle or optimizing phase sequence in case
of multiple OHL systems. New HV OHL noise impacts can be eliminated by designing their
traces out of inhabited areas. On the other hand the existing OHL have been integrated into
city areas mainly during city peripheries spreading in the form of new civil estate or shopping
centres. In these areas it is necessary to maintain permitted limits for low frequency electrical
field E50Hz_1,8m = 5 kV.m-1 and magnetic field B50Hz_1,8m = 100 T as well as permitted
equivalent sound pressure levels. Respecting possible health influences, the outside limits
near buildings are 50 dB for the day-time (6 a.m. – 10 p.m.) and 40 dB for the night-time (10
p.m. – 6 a.m.).

5
 Table 1: Audible noise of typical 400 kV and 220 kV OHL configurations in TS CR
Maximal Audible noise
Basic Bundle
Maximal audible noise level at the OHL
support partial
Typical OHL surface level under protective zone
tower phase Weather type
configuration electrical OHL4), 1,8 m border5), 1,8 m
height conductor
gradient3) high above high above the
N+0/(m) diameter
the ground ground
(-) H (m) d (mm) E (kV.cm-1) (-) LA (dB) LB (dB)
Regular 3-bundle step2) : a = 400 mm
1x400kV HORIZ fair weather 18,64 12,25
Phase conductors
N+0
1x3x3AlFe450/521) 29,31 13,58 rainy weather 43,64 37,25
30,22 (m)
Ground wires
2xAlFe180/59 heavy rain 47,14N 40,75N
1x400kV DELTA fair weather 18,50 13,88
Phase conductors
N+0
1x3x3AlFe450/52 29,31 13,48 rainy weather 43,50N 38,88
33,7 (m)
Ground wires
2xAlFe180/59 heavy rain 47,09 N 42,38N
2x400kV DANUBE fair weather 23,93 19,23
Phase conductors
N+0
2x3x3AlFe450/52 29,31 14,92 rainy weather 48,93 N 44,23N
41,6 (m)
Ground wires
2xAlFe180/59 heavy rain 52,43 N 47,73 N
2x400kV V-KEG fair weather 19,39 16,56
Phase conductors
N+0
2x3x3AlFe450/52 29,31 13,66 rainy weather 44,39 41,56
56,0 (m)
Ground wires
2xAlFe180/59 heavy rain 47,89 N 45,06 N
Only one wire forms the phase conductor
1x220kV HORIZ fair weather 22,01 16,10
Phase conductors
N+0
1x3x1AlFe450/52 29,31 15,40 rainy weather 47,01N 41,10N
25,0 (m)
Ground wires
2xAlFe180/59 heavy rain 50,51N,D 44,60N
1x220kV HORIZ fair weather 23,97 18,07
Phase conductors
N+0
1x3AlFe350/59 26,39 16,21 rainy weather 48,97N 43,07N
25,0 (m)
Ground wires
2xAlFe180/59 heavy rain 52,47N,D 46,57N
2x220kV V-KEG fair weather 24,66 20,93
Phase conductors
N+0
2x3x1AlFe 450/52 29,31 15,71 rainy weather 49,66 N 45,93 N
41,35 (m)
Ground wires
1xAlFe 180/59 heavy rain 53,16 N,D 49,43 N
2x220kV V-KEG fair weather 26,61 22,88
Phase conductors
N+0
2x1x3 AlFe350/59 26,39 16,94 rainy weather 51,61N,D 47,88 N
41,35 (m)
Ground wires
2xAlFe 180/59 heavy rain 55,11 N,D 51,38 N,D
2x220kV DANUBE fair weather 26,60 21,93
Phase conductors
N+0
2x3x1AlFe 450/52 29,31 16,17 rainy weather 51,60 N,D 46,93 N
38,20 (m)
Ground wires
1xAlFe 180/5 heavy rain 55,10 N,D 50,43 N,D

6
2x220kV DANUBE fair weather 28,52 23,85
Phase conductors
N+0
2x3x1AlFe 350/59 26,39 17,09 rainy weather 53,52 N,D 48,85 N
38,2 (m)
Ground wires
1xAlFe 180/59 heavy rain 57,02 N,D 52,35 N,D
Regular 3-bundle step2) : a = 400 mm
2x220kV DANUBE fair weather 13,35 8,87
Phase conductors
N+0
2x3x2AlFe 350/59 26,39 12,98 rainy weather 38.35 33,87
38,2 (m)
Ground wires
1xAlFe 180/59 heavy rain 41,85N 37,37

Notes:
1)
The outer aluminium layer wire diameter at AlFe450/52 is 3,25 mm (AlFe = ACSR). The surface non-
uniformity is respected by KHP = 0,8647. The diameter multiplied by KHP equals to a fictious cylindrical
conductor diameter with the same surface electrical gradient as its maximum at the original conductor.
2)
The axis distance between n-bundle conductors.
3)
The surface electrical gradient Ep (kV.cm-1) is not the same on all wires and conductors. It depends on the
phase sequence, bundle configuration, bundle step and conductor surface. The maximal Ep (kV.cm-1)
causes also the maximal audible noise near OHL.
4)
The maximal noise level LA (dB) under the OHL is in its trace axis only for geometrical and operational
symmetry.
5)
The OHL protective zones are defined in the Czech law no. 458/2000 Sb. by vertical planes going through
the outer OHL conductors on both sides. Their width in the direction perpendicular to the OHL axis are:
15 m (over 110 to 220 kV), 20 m (over 220 to 400 kV), 30 m (over 400 kV)
The people permanent residence is forbidden inside the protective zones.
N
Exceeded permitted noise level 40 dB in the night-time (from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.).
N,D
Exceeded permitted noise level 40 dB in the night-time and 50 dB in the day-time (from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.)

As for the Table 1, the worst presented 400 kV OHL configuration with 3-bundles from the
viewpoint of audible noise level is 2x400 kV DANUBE with phase conductors
2x3x3AlFe450/52 and ground wires 2xAlFe180/59. The highest surface gradient reaches
Ep = 14,92 kV.cm-1. This double-system powerline optimal phase sequence is in Fig. 1 and all
maximal surface gradients are in Fig. 1.
If the noise limit at the protective zone border exceeds the permitted limit on the base of noise
study and noise maps, the transmission system operator duty is to propose, realize and finance
additional technical measures to decrease the noise levels. In special cases the OHL trace can
be changed if permanently inhabited objects are under OHL or at the protective zone border
and were built before OHL construction.
The maximal audible noise level during heavy rain in trace axes increases with Ep (kV.cm-1)
approximately according to the linear regression LA_heavy_rain (dB) = 3,3232 Ep + 0,6372
(including the point [0;0]). The surface gradient Ep increases definitely with wires diameter
decrease. The tower shape influences significantly only the noise level at the protective zone
border because its width changes with the outer phase position.
The audible noise levels at 220 kV OHL with one wire per a phase conductor are higher. They
can be reduced by using 2-bundles but the 220 kV OHL in CR are to be eliminated in future
so this measure is not very perspective.

7
 L2_I L1_II

L3_I L1_I L2_II L3_II

Fig. 1: Optimal phase sequence for 2x400 kV OHL DANUBE

I. CIRCUIT 2x400 kV OHL DANUBE II. CIRCUIT 2x400 kV OHL DANUBE

a
L2=12,72 bL2=12,74 a
L1=12,73 bL1=12,71
(kV.cm-1) (kV.cm-1) (kV.cm-1) (kV.cm-1)
c
L2=12,92 (kV.cm-1) c
L1=12,92 (kV.cm-1)
a
L3=14,41 bL3=14,92 aL1=14,82 bL1=14,39 a
L2=14,39 bL2=14,81 aL3=14,91 bL3=14,41
(kV.cm-1) (kV.cm-1) (kV.cm-1) (kV.cm-1) (kV.cm-1) (kV.cm-1) (kV.cm-1) (kV.cm-1)
c
L3=14,52 (kV.cm-1) cL1c=14,50 (kV.cm-1) c
L2=14,50 (kV.cm-1) cL3=14,52 (kV.cm-1)
Note: L1, L2, L3 – 1st or 2nd system phases; a,b,c – partial wires of 3-bundles

Fig. 2: Ep maxima on partial wires AlFe 450/52 of 3-bundles 2x400 kV OHL DANUBE

Table 2: 2x400 kV DANUBE OHL audible noise dependence on the tower height
Maximal Audible noise
Bundle
Support Maximal audible noise level at the OHL
partial
Typical OHL tower surface level under protective zone
phase Weather type
configuration height electrical OHL4), 1,8 m border5), 1,8 m
conductor
N+x/(m) gradient3) high above high above the
diameter
the ground ground
(-) H (m) d (mm) E (kV.cm-1) (-) LA (dB) LB (dB)
Regular 3-bundle step2) : a = 400 mm
fair weather 23,93 19,23
N+0 rainy weather 48,93 (205%) 44,23 (185%)
41,6 (m) 14,92
heavy rain 52,43 (219%) 47,73 (199%)

fair weather 22,10 ( 92%) 18,49 ( 77%)

N+4 rainy weather 47,10 (197%) 43,49 (182%)
45,6 (m) 14,79
heavy rain 50,60 (211%) 46,99 (196%)
2x400 kV DONAU fair weather 21,59 ( 90%) 18,30 ( 76%)
Phase conductors
2x3x3AlFe450/52 N+8 29,31 rainy weather 46,59 (195%) 43,30 (181%)
49,6 (m) 14,72
Ground wires
2xAlFe180/59 heavy rain 50,09 (209%) 46,80 (196%)

fair weather 20,69 ( 86%) 17,93 ( 75%)

N+12 rainy weather 45,69 (191%) 42,93 (179%)
53,6 (m) 14,67
heavy rain 49,19 (205%) 46,43 (194%)

fair weather 19,91 ( 83%) 17,57 ( 73%)

N+16 rainy weather 44,91 (188%) 42,57 (178%)
57,6 (m) 14,63
heavy rain 48,41 (202%) 46,07 (194%)

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The tower height increase in Table 2 results also in all conductors height above the ground.
The phase sequence was optimized with the result according to Fig. 1. The audible noise level
dependence on the tower height H (m) is described by a linear regression LA_heavy_rain (dB) = -
0,2363 H + 61,862 in the trace axis or by LB_heavy _rain (dB) = -0,0970 H + 51,615 at the
protective zone border (34,5 m far from the tower axis). The percentage change is mentioned
as information.

Table 3: 2x400 (kV) DANUBE OHL audible noise dependence on the number of partial wires
in a bundle with a constant bundle step
Maximal Audible noise
Basic Number of
Maximal audible noise level at the OHL
support bundle
Typical OHL surface level under protective zone
tower partial Weather type
configuration electrical OHL4), 1,8 m border5), 1,8 m
height phase
gradient3) high above high above the
N+0/(m) conductors
the ground ground
(-) H (m) n (-) E (kV.cm-1) (-) LA (dB) LB (dB)
Regular n-bundle step2) : a = 400 mm
Bundle partial phase conductor diameter d = 29,31 mm
2x400 kV DONAU fair weather 50,57 N,D 45,96 N
Phase conductors
2x3x1AlFe450/52 1 26,54 rainy weather 75,57 N,D 70,96 N,D
Ground wires
2xAlFe180/59 heavy rain 79,07 N,D 74,46 N,D
2x400 kV DONAU fair weather 35,30 30,61
Phase conductors
2x3x2AlFe450/52 2 18,84 rainy weather 60,30 N,D 55,61 N,D
Ground wires
2xAlFe180/59 heavy rain 63,80 N,D 59,11 N,D
2x400 kV DONAU fair weather 23,93 19,23
Phase conductors N+0
2x3x3AlFe450/52 3 14,91 rainy weather 48,93 N 44,23N
41,6 (m)
Ground wires
2xAlFe180/59 heavy rain 52,43 N,D 47,73 N
2x400 kV DONAU fair weather 15,91 11,18
Phase conductors
2x3x4AlFe450/52 4 12,43 rainy weather 40,91N 36,18
Ground wires
2xAlFe180/59 heavy rain 44,41N 39,68
2x400 kV DONAU fair weather 9,82 5,06
Phase conductors
2x3x5AlFe450/52 5 11,10 rainy weather 34,82 30,06
Ground wires
2xAlFe180/59 heavy rain 38,32 33,56

The optimal phase sequence in Table 3 is again according to Fig. 1. If increasing the number
of partial wires with the constant bundle step, spark-over distances between phases and tower
construction decrease. The audible noise decreases non-linearly with the number of n-bundle
partial wires in the axis according to LA_heavy_rain (dB) = 1,5507 n2 - 19,393 n + 96,728 and at
the protective zone border (34,5 m far from the tower axis) according to LB_heavy_rain (dB) =
1,5564 n2 - 19,462 n + 92,172.

9
Table 4: 2x400 kV DANUBE OHL audible noise dependence on the diameter of partial wires
in a bundle with a constant 3-bundle step (CR)
Maximal Audible noise
Bundle
Support Maximal audible noise level at the OHL
partial
Typical OHL tower surface level under protective zone
phase Weather type
configuration height electrical OHL4), 1,8 m border5), 1,8 m
conductor
N+x/(m) gradient3) high above high above the
diameter
the ground ground
(-) H (m) d (mm) E (kV.cm-1) (-) LA (dB) LB (dB)
Regular n-bundle step2) : a = 400 mm
Using fictious conductors AlFe_1 to AlFe_7
2x400 kV DONAU fair weather 47,66N 42,97N
Phase conductors
2x3x3AlFe_1 10 38,3 rainy weather 72,65 N,D 67,97 N,D
Ground wires
2xAlFe180/59 heavy rain 76,15 N,D 71,47 N,D

2x400 kV DONAU fair weather 38,37 33,68

Phase conductors
2x3x3AlFe_2 15 26,66 rainy weather 63,37 N,D 58,68 N,D
Ground wires
2xAlFe180/59 heavy rain 66,87 N,D 62,18 N,D

2x400 kV DONAU fair weather 32,04 27,35

Phase conductors
2x3x3AlFe_3 20 20,66 rainy weather 57,04 N,D 52,35 N,D
Ground wires
2xAlFe180/59 heavy rain 60,54 N,D 55,85 N,D
2x400 kV DONAU fair weather 27,19 22,49
Phase conductors N+0
2x3x3AlFe_4 25 16,99 rainy weather 52,19 N,D 47,49 N
41,6 (m)
Ground wires
2xAlFe180/59 heavy rain 55,69 N,D 50,99 N,D
2x400 kV DONAU fair weather 23,36 18,66
Phase conductors
2x3x3AlFe_5 30 14,54 rainy weather 48,36 N 43,66N
Ground wires
2xAlFe180/59 heavy rain 51,86 N,D 47,16 N
2x400 kV DONAU fair weather 20,19 15,49
Phase conductors
2x3x3AlFe_6 35 12,48 rainy weather 45,19 N 40,49N
Ground wires
2xAlFe180/59 heavy rain 48,69 N 43,99N
2x400 kV DONAU fair weather 17,52 12,81
Phase conductors
2x3x3AlFe_7 40 11,47 rainy weather 42,52N 37,81
Ground wires
2xAlFe180/59 heavy rain 46,02 N 41,31N

The surface electrical gradient maximum Ep (kV.cm-1) decreases with the wire diameter
d (mm) increase and the audible noise level as well. The noise level change in dependence on
the diameter d (mm) for the Fig. 1 optimal phase sequence is given by LA_heavy_rain(dB)
=0,0242 d2 - 2,179 d + 94,881 for the trace axis and by LB_heavy _rain (dB) =0,0242 d2 - 2,180 d +
90,211 at the protective zone border. If we try to compare 3-bundles used in CR and 4-
bundles used in other countries, it is possible to say that 4-bundles allow using conductors
with smaller diameter than at 3-bundles without exceeding the noise limits. The OHL

10
transmission capability criterion with respect to conductor temperature and ampacity results
in using 4-bundles as more suitable but the tower construction mechanical limits must be
taken into account.

Table 5: 4x400 (kV) VERTICAL-KEG OHL audible noise change while gradual connecting
its 3-phase systems
Gradual connecting Maximal Audible noise
Basic
3ph systems of Maximal audible noise level at the OHL
support Number of
4x400 (kV) surface level under protective zone
tower connected Weather type
VERTICAL-KEG electrical OHL4), 1,8 m border5), 1,8 m
height systems
type (CR) gradient3) high above high above the
N+0/(m)
the ground ground
(-) H (m) d (mm) E (kV.cm-1) (-) LA (dB) LB (dB)
Regular n-bundle step2) : a = 400 mm
Bundle partial phase conductor diameter d = 29,31 mm
1x400 kV system fair weather 17,49 13,93
Phase conductors
1x3x3AlFe450/52 1 13,36 rainy weather 42,49N 38,93
Ground wires
2xAlFe180/59 heavy rain 45,99N 42,43N
2x400 kV systems fair weather 19,39 16,56
Phase conductors
2x3x3AlFe450/52 2 13,66 rainy weather 44,39N 41,56N
Ground wires
2xAlFe180/59 N+0 heavy rain 47,89 N 45,06 N
3x400 kV systems 56,0 (m) fair weather 19,16 14,14
Phase conductors
3x3x3AlFe450/52 3 13,69 rainy weather 44,16n 39,15
Ground wires
2xAlFe180/59 heavy rain 47,66 N 42,65N
4x400 kV systems fair weather 15,26 11,86
Phase conductors
4x3x3AlFe450/52 4 12,33 rainy weather 40,26N 36,86
Ground wires
2xAlFe180/59 heavy rain 43,76N 40,36N

The 4-system OHL presented in Table 5 are used in CR in network bottlenecks leading the
power from power plants or for more OHL paralleling. The table gives information about
audible noise contribution of more sources with the same frequency spectrum. It is interesting
that the surface electrical gradient (and therefore the noise level too) after connecting 4th
system decreases. This results from increasing the number of phase-to-phase capacity
couplings on a multiple OHL tower.

L1_III L1_I L3_II L3_IV

L2_III L2_I L2_II L2_IV

L3_III L3_I L1_II L1_IV

Fig. 3: Optimal phase sequence for 4x400 kV OHL VERTICAL-KEG

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Note:
The final audible noise level L (dB) of multiple n parallel 3-phase systems (approximately the
same frequency spectrum) with individual levels Li (dB) is calculated according to (3). But
the optimal phase sequence results in a different (lower) noise level than when adding
4 sources with the same levels.

5. CONCLUSION

The audible noise levels evaluation for characteristic 220 kV and 400 kV overhead lines
configurations in the Czech transmission systems were evaluated in the paper according to [3]
for three characteristic weather types: fair weather, rainy weather and heavy rain. The highest
noise level was LA = 57,02 dB for 2x220 kV DANUBE in the trace axis for heavy rain and
phase conductors 2x3x1AlFe350/59 which exceed the night-time limit 40 dB. Even if the
permanent people residence is forbidden under OHL, this can be a problem in exceptional
cases of crossing OHL and residence areas. This problem can be solved by replacing one-wire
conductors by two-wires. A similar situation is at the protective zone border (24,7 m from the
axis) with a heavy rain value LA = 52,35 dB.
The night-time and day-time limits were exceeded several times, significantly depending on
the voltage level and tower configuration. The night-time limit 40 dB was exceeded quite
often but mostly for heavy rain at 400 kV OHL and already for rainy weather at 220 kV OHL,
both in the trace axis and at the protective zone border. The day-time limit 50 dB was
exceeded (with one 400 kV exception) almost only for 220 kV OHL mainly in the trace axis
but for several configuration also at the protective zone border. It is necessary to realize that
heavy rain weather is usually only a short-time situation which needn’t be so harmful for
people living in the affected areas.
The next tables show the possibilities of audible noise levels control by technical measures
aiming at surface electrical gradient reduction. They are especially changes of the conductor
diameter, the number of partial wires in conductor bundles and the bundle step.
The OHL design procedure must respect also the audible noise levels under the OHL and
inside its protective zone. This can be done by specialized software and using noise maps
joined with other map levels information about communications and residence areas. If there
are any troubled places, one has defined possible technical measures to optimize the OHL
design to satisfy the legislation requirement for audible noise levels.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The financial supports of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (Research Plan MSM
6840770017 of the Czech Technical University) are highly acknowledged.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

[1] Future Noise Policy - European Commission Green Paper, 1996

[2] Law no. 258/2000 (Zákon č. 258/2000 Sb., o ochraně veřejného zdraví a o změně
některých souvisejících zákonů)
[3] Government order no. 148/2006 (Nařízení vlády č. 148/2006 Sb., o ochraně zdraví
před nepříznivými účinky hluku a vibrací)

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[4] Law no. 100/2001 (Zákon č. 100/2001 Sb., o posuzování vlivů na životní prostředí
(EIA)- komplexní hodnocení rizik)
[5] Law no 76/2002 (Zákon č. 76/2002 Sb., o integrované prevenci (IPPC))
[6] Law no. 458/2000 (Zákon č. 458/2000 Sb. o podmínkách podnikání a o výkonu státní
správy v energetických odvětvích a o změně některých zákonů (energetický zákon))
[7] ČSN EN 50341-1: Elektrická venkovní vedení s napětím nad AC 45 kV- Část 1:
Všeobecné požadavky - Společné specifikace, Česká technická norma, Listopad 2002
[8] ČSN EN 50341-2: Elektrická venkovní vedení s napětím nad AC 45 kV- Část 2:
Seznam Národních normativních aspektu
[9] Sforzini, M. and col.: Acoustic noise caused by a.c. corona on conductors: Results of
an experimental investigation in the anechoic chamber. IEEE Transaction on Power
Apparatus and Systems, 1975, Issue 2

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